Suspension standoff arrangement for confining adhesive

ABSTRACT

A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device is provided. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension, and a slider mounting point on the suspension. The slider mounting point includes an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff. The dielectric standoff includes a projection disposed along a length of the dielectric standoff.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to head assemblies used in data storage devices.

A hard-disk drive is a non-volatile storage device that is housed in a protective enclosure and stores digitally encoded data on one or more circular disks having magnetic surfaces. In operation, each magnetic-recording disk of a hard-disk drive is rapidly rotated by a spindle system. Data are read from and written to a magnetic-recording disk using a read-write head that is positioned over a specific location of a disk by an actuator. A read-write head uses a magnetic field to read data from and write data to the surface of a magnetic-recording disk. A write head makes use of electricity flowing through a coil, which produces a magnetic field. Electrical pulses are sent to the write head, with different patterns of positive and negative currents. The current in the coil of the write head induces a magnetic field across the gap between the head and the magnetic disk, which in turn magnetizes a small area on the recording medium.

The read-write head is fabricated in a head slider, which is coupled with a suspension in a head gimbal assembly. An adhesive often is used to adhere the slider to the suspension. It is desirable to improve techniques for adhering the slider to the suspension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like-numbered elements refer to common components in the different figures.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a hard disk drive.

FIGS. 2A-2E depict various views of part of an embodiment of a head gimbal assembly.

FIGS. 3A-3M depict various views of part of an embodiment of a head gimbal assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A head gimbal assembly is described for a data storage device. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension, and a slider mounting point on the suspension. The slider mounting point includes an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff. The dielectric standoff includes one or more projections that are configured to limit a spread of multiple adhesive dots disposed in the adhesive pocket.

Embodiments may be used in the context of a head gimbal assembly (HGA) for a hard disk drive (HDD). FIG. 1 illustrates a functional arrangement of components of an example HDD 100, which includes a HGA 102, a magnetic-recording medium 104 rotatably mounted on a spindle 106 and a drive motor (not visible) attached to spindle 106 for rotating magnetic-recording medium 104. Magnetic-recording medium 104 (or a plurality of disk media) may be affixed to spindle 106 with a disk clamp 108.

In an embodiment, HGA 102 includes a slider 102 a mounted to a suspension 102 b. A magnetic read-write head 102 c is mounted to slider 102 a. Magnetic read-write head 102 c includes a write element (not shown) and a read element (not shown) for respectively writing and reading information stored on magnetic-recording medium 104.

HDD 100 further includes an arm 110 attached to HGA 102, a carriage 112, a voice-coil motor (VCM) that includes an armature 114 including a voice coil 116 attached to carriage 112 and a stator 118 including a voice-coil magnet (not visible). Armature 114 is attached to carriage 112, and is mounted on a pivot-shaft 120 with an interposed pivot bearing assembly 122. Armature 114 is configured to move arm 110 and HGA 102 to access portions of magnetic-recording medium 104. In the case of an HDD having multiple disks, carriage 112 is called an “E-block,” or comb, because the carriage is arranged to carry a ganged array of arms that gives it the appearance of a comb.

Electrical signals (e.g., current to voice coil 116) comprising a write signal to and a read signal from magnetic read-write head 102 c are provided by a flexible interconnect cable (“flex cable”) 124. Interconnection between flex cable 124 and magnetic read-write head 102 c may be provided by an arm-electronics (AE) module 126. In an embodiment, AE module 126 includes an on-board pre-amplifier for the read signal, as well as other read-channel and write-channel electronic components. AE module 126 may be attached to carriage 112 as shown.

In an embodiment, flex cable 124 is coupled to an electrical-connector block 128, which provides electrical communication through electrical feed-throughs provided by an HDD housing 130. HDD housing 130, also referred to as a base, in conjunction with an HDD cover (not shown) provides a sealed, protective enclosure for the information storage components of HDD 100.

Other electronic components (not shown), including a disk controller and servo electronics including a digital-signal processor (DSP), provide electrical signals to the drive motor, voice coil 116 and magnetic read-write head 102 c. Electrical signals provided to the drive motor enable the drive motor to spin, providing a torque to spindle 106 which is in turn transmitted to magnetic-recording medium 104. As a result, magnetic-recording medium 104 spins in a direction 132.

The spinning magnetic-recording medium 104 commonly creates a cushion of air that acts as an air-bearing on which the air-bearing surface (ABS) of slider 102 a rides. As a result, slider 102 a flies above the surface of magnetic-recording medium 104 without making contact with a thin magnetic-recording layer in which information is recorded. Similarly in an HDD in which a lighter-than-air gas is utilized, such as helium or nitrogen for non-limiting examples, the spinning magnetic-recording medium 104 creates a cushion of gas that acts as a gas or fluid bearing on which slider 102 a rides.

Electrical signals provided to voice coil 116 enable magnetic read-write head 102 c to access a track 134 on which information is recorded. Thus, armature 114 swings through an arc 136, which enables magnetic read-write head 102 c to access various tracks on magnetic-recording medium 104. Information is stored on magnetic-recording medium 104 in a plurality of radially nested tracks arranged in sectors on magnetic-recording medium 104, such as sector 138. Correspondingly, each track is composed of a plurality of sectored track portions (or “track sectors”), for example, track sector 140.

Each track sector 140 may be composed of recorded data and a header containing a servo-burst-signal pattern, for example, an ABCD-servo-burst-signal pattern, which is information that identifies track 134, and error correction code information. The read element of magnetic read-write head 102 c reads the servo-burst-signal pattern, which provides a position-error-signal (PES) to the servo electronics. The servo electronics control the electrical signals provided to voice coil 116, enabling magnetic read-write head 102 c to follow track 134. Upon finding track 134 and identifying a particular track sector 140, magnetic read-write head 102 c either reads data from track 134 or writes data to track 134 depending on instructions received by the disk controller from an external agent (e.g., a microprocessor of a computer system).

A HDD's electronic architecture includes numerous electronic components for performing various functions for operation of an HDD. Examples of such electronic components include a hard disk controller (“HDC”), an interface controller, an arm electronics module, a data channel, a motor driver, a servo processor, buffer memory. Two or more of such components may be combined on a single integrated circuit board referred to as a “system on a chip” (“SOC”). Several of such electronic components typically are arranged on a printed circuit board that is coupled to the bottom side of an HDD, such as to HDD housing 130.

References herein to a hard disk drive, such as HDD 100 illustrated and described in reference to FIG. 1, may encompass a data storage device that is at times referred to as a “hybrid drive.” A hybrid drive refers generally to a storage device having functionality of both a traditional HDD (e.g., HDD 100) combined with a solid-state storage device (SSD) using non-volatile memory. Examples of such non-volatile memory include flash or other solid-state (e.g., integrated circuit) memory, which is electrically erasable and programmable. As operation, management and control of the different types of storage media typically differs, the solid-state portion of a hybrid drive may include its own corresponding controller functionality, which may be integrated into a single controller along with the HDD functionality.

A hybrid drive may be designed and configured to operate and utilize the solid-state portion in a number of ways. For example, a hybrid drive may use the solid-state memory as cache memory, for storing frequently-accessed data, for storing I/O intensive data, and the like. Further, a hybrid drive may be architected and configured essentially as two storage devices in a single enclosure, i.e., a traditional HDD and an SSD, with either one or multiple interfaces for host connection.

It is to be understood that the embodiments discussed herein are applicable to a data storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) as well as a tape drive such as a tape embedded drive (TED) or an insertable tape media drive. An example TED is described in co-pending patent application titled “Tape Embedded Drive,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/365,034, filed Mar. 31, 2019, assigned to the same assignee of this application, which is herein incorporated by reference. As such, any reference in the detailed description to an HDD or tape drive is merely for exemplification purposes and is not intended to limit the disclosure unless explicitly claimed. For example, references to disk media in an HDD embodiment are provided as examples only, and can be substituted with tape media in a tape drive embodiment. Furthermore, reference to or claims directed to magnetic recording devices or data storage/recording devices are intended to include at least both HDD and tape drive unless HDD or tape drive devices are explicitly claimed.

FIGS. 2A-2E depict various views of part of a HGA 200 that includes a slider 202 mounted to a suspension 204. Slider 202 is an embodiment of slider 102 a of FIG. 1, and suspension 204 is an embodiment of suspension 102 b of FIG. 1. FIG. 2A is a top view of HGA 200, with slider 202 shown only in outline to reveal features below slider 202. FIG. 2B is a top view of HGA 200, with slider 202 attached to suspension 204. FIG. 2C is a side view of HGA 200.

In an embodiment, suspension 204 includes a stainless steel layer 206, which provides structural support for HGA 200. A first dielectric standoff 208 is disposed on stainless steel layer 206, and provides electrical isolation for additional elements (not shown) of HGA 200. In an embodiment, first dielectric standoff 208 is polyimide, although other material may be used. For simplicity, first dielectric standoff 208 will be referred to in the remaining description as “first polyimide standoff 208.”

First polyimide standoff 208 also partially bounds adhesive pocket 210, and provides height control for slider 202. Adhesive pocket 210 contains an adhesive (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, but described below with reference to FIGS. 2D-2E), such as epoxy, which bonds slider 202 to suspension 204. The region on stainless steel layer 206 directly beneath slider 202 is referred to as a slider mounting point 212, which is represented by the dashed-line rectangle in FIG. 2A. Slider mounting point 212 includes adhesive pocket 210 and first polyimide standoff 208. Contact pad 214 is connected to the read/write element contacts of slider 202 by solder 216. In an embodiment, contact pad 214 is made of gold-plated copper.

In an embodiment, first polyimide standoff 208 has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, first polyimide standoff 208 has a generally V-type shape, although other shapes may be used.

FIG. 2D illustrates multiple adhesive dots disposed on stainless steel layer 206 in adhesive pocket 210 prior to depositing slider 202 on stainless steel layer 206. In an embodiment, two adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b are disposed on stainless steel layer 206 in adhesive pocket 210, although more than two adhesive dots may be used. In an embodiment, adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b are substantially circular in shape, although other dot shapes (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, polygonal) may be used.

After slider 202 is deposited on stainless steel layer 206, adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b tend to spread, due to the viscosity of the adhesive. A region 220 (shown in cross-hatch) of stainless steel layer 206 depicts a permissible area in which adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b may spread after slider 202 is deposited on stainless steel layer 206. Region 220, also referred to herein as “permissible adhesive spread region 220” defines outer limits of the region of stainless steel layer 206 in which adhesive may spread without causing damage to components of HGA 200. In other words, it is desirable to limit or confine the spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b to permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, first polyimide standoff 208 has a shape designed to limit or confine the spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b to permissible adhesive spread region 220. In an embodiment, first polyimide standoff 208 has a shape that generally conforms to the shape of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

However, FIG. 2E illustrates an example spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b after slider 202 (shown only in outline in FIG. 2E) is deposited on stainless steel layer 206. In an embodiment, adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b merge and spread to form a merged adhesive shape 218 c that includes multiple portions 222 that extend beyond the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. Thus, although first polyimide standoff 208 confined portions of merged adhesive shape 218 c to permissible adhesive spread region 220, first polyimide standoff 208 may not be effective to entirely confine merged adhesive shape 218 c within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIGS. 3A-3B depict top views of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 a that includes a slider 202 mounted to a suspension 204. FIG. 3A is a top view of HGA 300 a before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204, and FIG. 3B is a top view of HGA 300 a, with slider 202 attached to suspension 204.

HGA 300 a includes first polyimide standoff 302 a, which is similar to first polyimide standoff 208 of FIGS. 2A-2E, but includes a peripheral edge 306 that includes one or more projections 304 a disposed along a length of first polyimide standoff 302 a. In an embodiment, projections 304 a are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b). In an embodiment, each projection 304 a has an elliptical shape, although other shapes may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, peripheral edge 306 includes eleven projections 304 a, but more or fewer than eleven projections 304 a may be used.

In an embodiment, each of projections 304 a has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3A, projections 304 a are substantially equal size. In other embodiments, projections 304 a may have a variety of sizes.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b after slider 202 (shown only in outline in FIG. 3B) is deposited on stainless steel layer 206. In the illustrated example, adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b merge and spread to form a merged adhesive shape 310. Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 a of first polyimide standoff 302 a may better confine merged adhesive shape 310 within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 a of first polyimide standoff 302 a may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine merged adhesive shape 310 within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3C depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 b before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 b is similar to HGA 300 a of FIGS. 3A-3B, but includes a second polyimide standoff 312 that is disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 may be formed as a distinct feature, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 a, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 a.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 a and second polyimide standoff 312 of FIG. 3C may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger and spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that second polyimide standoff 312 may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3D depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 c before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 c is similar to HGA 300 a of FIGS. 3A-3B, but includes a third polyimide standoff 312 a and a fourth polyimide standoff 312 b disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may be formed as distinct features, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 a, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 a.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 a, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b of FIG. 3D may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3E depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 d before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 d includes a first polyimide standoff 302 b which is similar to first polyimide standoff 208 of FIGS. 2A-2E, but includes a peripheral edge 306 that includes one or more projections 304 b disposed along a length of first polyimide standoff 302 b. In an embodiment, projections 304 b are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b). In an embodiment, projections 304 b each have a rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3E, peripheral edge 306 includes eleven projections 304 b, but more or fewer than eleven projections 304 b may be used.

In an embodiment, each of projections 304 b has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3E, projections 304 b are substantially equal size. In other embodiments, projections 304 b may have a variety of sizes.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 b of first polyimide standoff 302 b may better confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 b of first polyimide standoff 302 b may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3F depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 e before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 e is similar to HGA 300 d of FIG. 3E, but includes second polyimide standoff 312 disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 may be formed as a distinct feature, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 b, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 b.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 b and second polyimide standoff 312 of FIG. 3F may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that second polyimide standoff 312 may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3G depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 f before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 f is similar to HGA 300 d of FIG. 3E, but includes third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may be formed as distinct features, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 b, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 b.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 b, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b of FIG. 3G may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3H depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 g before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 g includes a first polyimide standoff 302 c which is similar to first polyimide standoff 208 of FIGS. 2A-2E, but includes a peripheral edge 306 that includes one or more projections 304 c disposed along a length of first polyimide standoff 302 c. In an embodiment, projections 304 c are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b). In an embodiment, projections 304 c each have a triangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3H, peripheral edge 306 includes eleven projections 304 c, but more or fewer than eleven projections 304 c may be used.

In an embodiment, each of projections 304 c has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3H, projections 304 c are substantially equal size. In other embodiments, projections 304 c may have a variety of sizes.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 c of first polyimide standoff 302 c may better confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 c of first polyimide standoff 302 c may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3I depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 h before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 h is similar to HGA 300 g of FIG. 3H, but includes second polyimide standoff 312 disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 has a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312 may be formed as a distinct feature, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 c, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 c.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 c and second polyimide standoff 312 of FIG. 3I may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that second polyimide standoff 312 may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3J depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 i before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 i is similar to HGA 300 g of FIG. 3H, but includes third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b each have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may be formed as distinct features, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 c, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 c.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 c, third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b of FIG. 3J may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that third polyimide standoff 312 a and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b may further limit spread of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3K depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 j before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 j includes a first polyimide standoff 302 d which is similar to first polyimide standoff 208 of FIGS. 2A-2E, but includes a peripheral edge 306 that includes one or more projections 304 d disposed along a length of first polyimide standoff 302 d. In an embodiment, projections 304 d are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b). In an embodiment, projections 304 d have a variety of different shapes—elliptical, rectangular and triangular shapes, although other shapes may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3K, peripheral edge 306 includes fourteen projections 304 d, but more or fewer than fourteen projections 304 d may be used.

In an embodiment, each of projections 304 d has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3K, three different shapes are used for projections 304 d. In other embodiments, more or fewer than three different shapes may be used, and the arrangement of shapes may be other than that shown in FIG. 3K.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 d of first polyimide standoff 302 d may better confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 d of first polyimide standoff 302 d may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3L depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 k before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 k is similar to HGA 300 j of FIG. 3K, but includes second polyimide standoff 312′ disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312′ extends in a direction substantially parallel to the upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312′ has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312′ has a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312′ may be formed as a distinct feature, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 d, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 d.

In an embodiment, second polyimide standoff 312′ includes a peripheral edge 306′ that includes one or more projections 304 e disposed along a length of second polyimide standoff 312′. In an embodiment, projections 304 e have a rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, projections 304 e are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b).

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3L, peripheral edge 306′ includes four projections 304 e, but more or fewer than four projections 304 e may be used. In an embodiment, each of projections 304 e has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 d and second polyimide standoff 312′ of FIG. 3L may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 d of first polyimide standoff 302 d and projections 304 e of second polyimide standoff 312′ may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 and peripheral edge 306′ for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

FIG. 3M depicts a top view of part of an embodiment of an HGA 300 l before slider 202 is attached to suspension 204. HGA 300 l is similar to HGA 300 j of FIG. 3K, but includes third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ disposed near an upper perimeter of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ each have a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ each have a generally rectangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ may be formed as distinct features, independent of first polyimide standoff 302 d, or may be formed as a unitary feature with first polyimide standoff 302 d.

In an embodiment, third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ each include a peripheral edge 306″ that includes one or more projections 304 f disposed along a length of third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′. In an embodiment, projections 304 f are generally disposed facing a central region 308 of adhesive pocket 210 (e.g., facing adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b).

In an embodiment, projections 304 f have a triangular shape, although other shapes may be used. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3M, each peripheral edge 306″ includes two projections 304 f, but more or fewer than two projections 304 f may be used. In an embodiment, each of projections 304 f has a thickness (height) of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm, although other thicknesses and widths may be used.

Without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that first polyimide standoff 302 d, third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ of FIG. 3M may confine a merged adhesive shape (e.g., a merger of adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b) within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220. In particular, without wanting to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that projections 304 d of first polyimide standoff 302 d and projections 304 f of third polyimide standoff 312 a′ and fourth polyimide standoff 312 b′ may increase a surface area of peripheral edge 306 and peripheral edge 306″ for bonding to adhesive dots 218 a and 218 b as they merge and spread, and thereby may better confine a merged adhesive shape within the boundaries of permissible adhesive spread region 220.

One embodiment includes a head gimbal assembly for a data storage device. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension, and a slider mounting point on the suspension. The slider mounting point includes an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff. The dielectric standoff includes a projection disposed along a length of the dielectric standoff.

One embodiment includes a data recording device that includes a recording medium including a data surface of data tracks, a slider, a suspension coupled to the slider with an adhesive, a dielectric standoff disposed on the suspension, the dielectric standoff including a plurality of projections disposed along a length of the dielectric standoff, a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from and writing data to the data surface, an actuator for moving the slider to allow the transducer to access the data tracks, and an electronics module for processing data read from and written to the data surface.

One embodiment includes a head gimbal assembly for a data storage device. The head gimbal assembly includes a suspension, a plurality of adhesive dots on the suspension, a permissible adhesive spread region on the suspension, the permissible adhesive spread region defining outer limits in which the adhesive dots are allowed to spread without causing damage to the head gimbal assembly, and a dielectric standoff disposed on the suspension, the dielectric standoff comprising a plurality of projections configured to confine a spread of the adhesive dots within the permissible adhesive spread region.

For purposes of this document, reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “another embodiment” may be used to describe different embodiments or the same embodiment.

For purposes of this document, a connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection (e.g., via one or more other parts). In some cases, when an element is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, the element may be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element via intervening elements. When an element is referred to as being directly connected to another element, then there are no intervening elements between the element and the other element. Two devices are “in communication” if they are directly or indirectly connected so that they can communicate electronic signals between them.

For purposes of this document, the term “based on” may be read as “based at least in part on.”

For purposes of this document, without additional context, use of numerical terms such as a “first” object, a “second” object, and a “third” object may not imply an ordering of objects, but may instead be used for identification purposes to identify different objects. For example, the terms “first” and “second” in the phrases first register and second register are used as identification labels to distinguish the register and are not meant to indicate an order or priority.

For purposes of this document, the term “set” of objects may refer to a “set” of one or more of the objects.

The foregoing detailed description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The described embodiments were chosen to best explain the principles and practical application of the disclosed technology, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the technology in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the disclosed technology is defined by the appended claims. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device, comprising: a suspension; and a slider mounting point on the suspension, the slider mounting point including an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff comprising a plurality of projections disposed along a length of and between ends of the dielectric standoff.
 2. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections comprises any of an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape and a triangular shape.
 3. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections is generally disposed facing a central region of the adhesive pocket.
 4. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections has a thickness of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm.
 5. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of projections comprise a variety of different shapes.
 6. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein the adhesive pocket includes a plurality of adhesive dots disposed on the suspension.
 7. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, further comprising a slider coupled to the suspension.
 8. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections is configured to limit a spread of an adhesive disposed in the adhesive pocket.
 9. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein the dielectric standoff comprises a generally V-type shape.
 10. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein the suspension comprises an adhesive spread region, and the dielectric standoff is disposed near an upper perimeter of the adhesive spread region.
 11. The head gimbal assembly of claim 1, wherein the dielectric standoff comprises polyimide.
 12. A data recording device comprising: a recording medium comprising a data surface of data tracks; a slider; a suspension coupled to the slider with an adhesive; a dielectric standoff disposed on the suspension, the dielectric standoff comprising a plurality of projections disposed along a length of and between ends of the dielectric standoff; a transducer attached to the slider for reading data from and writing data to the data surface; an actuator for moving the slider to allow the transducer to access the data tracks; and an electronics module for processing data read from and written to the data surface.
 13. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of projections comprise any of an elliptical shape, a rectangular shape and a triangular shape.
 14. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of projections are generally disposed facing the adhesive.
 15. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of projections has a thickness of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm.
 16. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of projections are configured to limit a spread of the adhesive.
 17. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein the dielectric standoff comprises a first dielectric standoff that has a generally V-type shape, and second dielectric standoff that has a generally rectangular shape.
 18. The data recording device of claim 12, wherein the dielectric standoff comprises polyimide.
 19. A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device, comprising: a suspension; a plurality of adhesive dots on the suspension; a permissible adhesive spread region on the suspension, the permissible adhesive spread region defining outer limits in which the adhesive dots are allowed to spread without causing damage to the head gimbal assembly; and a dielectric standoff disposed on the suspension, the dielectric standoff comprising a plurality of projections disposed between ends of the dielectric standoff and configured to confine a spread of the adhesive dots within the permissible adhesive spread region.
 20. The head gimbal assembly of claim 19, wherein the dielectric standoff comprises polyimide.
 21. A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device, comprising: a suspension; and a slider mounting point on the suspension, the slider mounting point including an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff comprising a projection disposed along a length of and between ends of the dielectric standoff, wherein the projection is generally disposed facing a central region of the adhesive pocket.
 22. A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device, comprising: a suspension; and a slider mounting point on the suspension, the slider mounting point including an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff comprising a projection disposed along a length of and between ends of the dielectric standoff, wherein the projection has a thickness of between about 5 μm and about 10 μm, and a width of between about 50 μm and about 70 μm.
 23. A head gimbal assembly for a data storage device, comprising: a suspension; and a slider mounting point on the suspension, the slider mounting point including an adhesive pocket bounded by a dielectric standoff comprising a projection disposed along a length of and between ends of the dielectric standoff, wherein the adhesive pocket includes a plurality of adhesive dots disposed on the suspension. 